The South Americans who make Roshn Saudi League so special
Saudi Arabia has long been a major destination for South American footballers.
The flow of players to the Middle East all share the same aim of impressing in Asia’s most competitive league.
We take a look at some of the stars from South America that have given Roshn Saudi League a special Latin flavour.
Brazil leads the way having by far the largest contingent of overseas players in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, with the exception of Abha, every club possesses at least one player from the home of samba football.
Currently, two of the top-four scorers hail from the country with Talisca of Al Nassr leading the way on 12 goals. The former Benfica and Besiktas attacker is looking to claim the top scorer-gong this time around, having been pipped to the post by compatriot and Al Ittihad forward Romarinho last season.
Indeed, Talisca’s Al Nassr side features a healthy dose of popular players from South America, including Brazil’s Luiz Gustavo, formerly of Bayern Munich, and Argentina’s Pity Martinez.
Colombia international David Ospina stood guard before undergoing elbow surgery and has been replaced by Boca Juniors loanee Agustin Rossi.
Paraguay playmaker Kaku has excelled at Al Taawoun – this season his 10-goal contribution (three goals, seven assists) complements a South American contingent which includes three Brazilians.
Brazilian Carlos Jr at Al Shabab has been a prolific force for the Riyadh club with a total of 20 goals in just 35 top-flight appearances in his time in the capital. And Al Shabab could count themselves as having one of the grandest marquee names to ply his trade in Roshn Saudi League – Argentine midfield wizard Ever Banega.
The former Sevilla and Valencia man has been a mainstay of the Al Shabab side, providing a strong influence as they launch an assault on the title they last won in 2011/12. Alongside him is compatriot Cristian Guanca – now back in Saudi Arabia after being on loan across the Gulf at Al Ain last season.
Manager Ramon Diaz at Al Hilal – himself a former Argentina striker – can call upon Brazilian Michael, Colombia’s Gustavo Cuellar, Peru’s Andre Carrillo and Argentine Luciano Vietto. A a mix of talents from across the continent.
The aforementioned Romarinho and Igor Coronado, star for Al Ittihad where they are joined by goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe and midfielder Bruno Henrique.
Brazilian Edson and Peru international Christofer Gonzales lead the way for Al Adalah’s South Americans.
But Al Batin takes the crown as the club with the most.
With two Colombians, Andres Felipe Roa and Juan Pedroza, being registered in the January window, they also boast Uruguayan Renzo Lopez and his fellow citizen, goalkeeper Martin Campana. Brazilian Mauricio Antonio leads their defence.
Petros and Christian Cueva are on the books at Al Fateh, while Brazilian midfielder Paulinho is a star at Al Fayha, scoring four times in his most-prolific season to date. Al Khaleej possesses a hat-trick of Brazilians, while Al Raed have Pablo Santos in their ranks.
Adrian Martinez of Al Tai is the only Venezuela player in the Saudi league in a side which contains two Brazilian players, while Bruno Duarte and Anselmo are the sole South American representatives at Damac and Al Wehda respectively.